According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, both sides, the Jets and Fitz, are considering the date of May 24 as the first real “legitimate deadline” as it relates to reaching an agreement on a new contract for 2016.

Next Tuesday, when the Jets officially begin OTA’s, is May 24. This is exactly why this first deadline is creeping out.

Could it be more posturing? Honestly, who the hell knows.

The best thing to do at this point is not speculate and let it play out. Both Fitz and Mike Maccagnan are big boys. They can handle this NFL business on their own.

One thing remains pretty clear, as Rapoport also eluded to: Both sides seemingly still want to be involved with one another. Fitz clearly needs the soft-landing that is Chan Gailey and a familiar offense, and the Jets most definitely need a guy who can carry the bag until one of their youngsters are ready.